I’d like to know your thoughts on the name [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] please. What kind of vibes does she give you? What middle names do you think would suit? I feel more of a unisex name would balance it out. What nicknames other than [name_f]Bella[/name_f] would you use?
And lastly and most importantly, is it too much with big sister [name_f]Zara[/name_f]? I am aware the first 3 letters are the same sound, but are they too similar?
[name_f]My[/name_f] husband loves the name (and he really doesn’t love much!) and I do think it’s beautiful but I have concerns about the similar sound.
You can nickname her [name_m]Ari[/name_m], [name_f]Bell[/name_f] or Belli. With a unisex MN I would suggest [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] [name_m]Gray[/name_m]. [name_f]Zara[/name_f] & [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] also make a lovely sibset.
[name_f]Arabella[/name_f] is great !! She has a whimsical, romantic air to her, but it also feels kind of cool and fashionable. Like a more unique [name_f]Isabella[/name_f]! I don’t think it needs a unisex middle name, since I don’t see it as especially frilly. [name_f]My[/name_f] go-to nickname would be [name_m]Ari[/name_m], and if not that, then [name_f]Bell[/name_f]!
That said, I do unfortunately think it’s too close to Zara… They’re a bit tongue-twistery when I say them together, and I think it opens up the potential for name mixups. I personally wouldn’t do it.
I know two a girls named [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] They are both kinda similar! Very beautiful girls who both are also spiritual and a bit tomboyish. One of the girls is called Belch1k and the other one has a a nn of [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] backwards, but a bit tweaked - Allebara ~> Allegr@. They both look a bit like [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] Hepburn actually, now that I think about it!
In my homeland [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] is famous book character who is a daughter of a pirate (think [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_m]Swann[/name_m] vibes), so I personally don’t see it as frilly, but more as a really pretty cool girl. I think [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] is a gorgeous name I think it [name_f]Zara[/name_f] and [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] are similar, but different enough. I think you can still use [name_f]Arabella[/name_f], especially if you wouldn’t use [name_f]Zara[/name_f] and [name_f]Ara[/name_f], but [name_f]Zara[/name_f] and [name_f]Bella[/name_f] for example
I love [name_f]Arabella[/name_f]! She feels royal and dainty and her soul feels so deep, if that makes sense? She’s not a shallow person at all, she is wise and kind and loves learning and reading. She is kind and sweet. If [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] wasn’t my favorite girls’ name, I always thought [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] would have a spot on my list. [name_f]My[/name_f] favorite combo for her is [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] [name_f]Lilac[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f], although I am quite fond of [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] [name_f]Maple[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] & [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] [name_f]Lilavati[/name_f] as well. (So apparently I like word names & [name_f]Indian[/name_f] names with her, lol.)
In my accent, [name_f]Zara[/name_f] is ZAH-rah while [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] is AIR-ah-BELL-ah so the sounds are a little different (probably much like [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and [name_f]Zara[/name_f] are different in yours? At least that is my theory; depends on your accent. I would love to meet a little [name_f]Arabella[/name_f], I think [name_f]Zara[/name_f] and [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] are sweet together. [name_m]Even[/name_m] with the similar ara sounds, I think if you choose a nn that doesn’t highlight the [name_f]Ara[/name_f] beginning, you might be ok? I am fond of [name_f]Bella[/name_f] and [name_m]Ari[/name_m] for her, but if you’re looking to avoid [name_f]Ara[/name_f] and [name_f]Bella[/name_f], then maybe [name_f]Billie[/name_f] or [name_f]Abby[/name_f] could work as a nn? or just Ella/Ellie/Elle?
I think Arabella is beautiful such a lovely princess name that has a lovely melodic sound. I think Zara sounds gorgeous with Arabella a very cohesive sibling set that oozes regality. I think Bella is a lovely nickname.
You’ve had lots of lovely middle name suggestions so count any repeats as me being in agreement with the berries
I don’t think it’s too much with [name_f]Zara[/name_f]. It’s got regal vibes, like [name_f]Zara[/name_f], and elegance too. Both have sharpness and femininity. Not sure if it helps, but I knew sisters [name_f]Millie[/name_f] and Ara.bella (it was just [name_f]Millie[/name_f], not Amelia/Emilia etc. nn Millie).
In terms of sounds, I say the ‘Zar’ of [name_f]Zara[/name_f] rhyming with car or bar, whereas the start of [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] is more like the ‘A’ in ‘Apple’
Thanks everyone! I do usually prefer shorter names which is another reason I am hesitant. It’s staying on the list for sure and I’ll consider all the middle name suggestions too
i think arabella is beautiful! i’m getting these vibes: dancing by a river’s edge, accompanied by the graceful chirps of a songbird, the white sun warming the earth, swans gliding through the sparkling water, elegant chiffon skirts rippling in the breeze
the obvious nicknames are ara and bella, but ari, aria, and belle would work beautifully as well!
i also have concerns about the similar sounds. while i think zara and arabella fit together beautifully as far as aesthetics go, i do think the “ara” part is too much, especially considering how prominent of a sound it is in both names. have you considered pronouncing arabella as “AIR-uh-BEL-luh?” instead of having the same “AR” sound?
here are some other names that sound similar to arabella!
I love [name_f]Arabella[/name_f]. If I already didn’t have a niece who has a -bella name, I’d have used it for my daughter. I don’t think it is too similar to [name_f]Zara[/name_f] at all! They both have an elegant princess-y feel so I think they match really well.
Unisex or one syllable middle names go well with [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] imo, for example:
Arabella to me is the mischievous duchess (ie well to do but also independent and fun).
I know two - they both get Bella for short - I’d otherwise probably only use Belle but maybe Ari (“Arry”) or Abi - and yes I think it goes with Zara really nicely.
Arabella is a beautiful name! Feminine and sweet but also very bold, energetic and cool. It’s a great alternative to other -bel/-bella/-belle names. I think it deserves more attention and appreciation.
As a nickname, I suggest Ara, Aria, Ella, Ellie, Belle, Ary/Arie, Bebe, Air, Elba, Bara and Abella. I think Abbie and Alba may work too!
Zara and Arabella share 3 letters which seems a lot because Zara only has 4 letters, however “Ara” sounds very different in Zara and Arabella. I believe it works!
For the middle name, you may like:
Arabella Summer
Arabella Monroe
Arabella Taylor
Arabella Ocean
Arabella Juliet
Arabella Winter
Arabella Mercy
Arabella True
Arabella Aspen
Arabella Dune
Arabella Frances
Arabella May
Arabella Autumn
Arabella Fallon
Arabella Louise
Arabella Poet
Arabella Iris
Arabella Daisy
Arabella Eve
Arabella Lotus
Arabella Valentine
Arabella Mars
Arabella Jean
Arabella Eloise
Arabella Story
Arabella Opal
They are both kinda similar! Very beautiful girls who both are also spiritual and a bit tomboyish. One of the girls is called Belch1k and the other one has a a nn of [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] backwards, but a bit tweaked - Allebara ~> Allegr@. They both look a bit like [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] Hepburn actually, now that I think about it!
I think it [name_f]Zara[/name_f] and [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] are similar, but different enough. I think you can still use [name_f]Arabella[/name_f], especially if you wouldn’t use [name_f]Zara[/name_f] and [name_f]Ara[/name_f], but [name_f]Zara[/name_f] and [name_f]Bella[/name_f] for example 
